Community Health Centers Lead the Primary Care Revolution

The recently enacted Affordable Care Act ushers in a new era of U.S. health care. The Act launches a primary care revolution –reinventing the delivery system to emphasize prevention and primary care, and pushing the health care system to deliver more accessible, patient-centered, and comprehensive care. Community Health Centers are well positioned to transform this vision into reality, specifically by expanding access to high-quality, affordable primary and preventive care to millions, and by bringing needed health care professionals and stimulating economicactivity in some of the nation’s most economically hard-pressed communities.

 

Leaders in a Primary Care Revolution Community, Migrant, and Homeless Health Centers are already the largest network of safety net primary care services in the nation,currently serving 20 million patients. Health centers go above and beyond the traditional role of primary care by providing dental, mental health and substance abuse, pharmacy, health education, and other services that facilitate access to care, such as translation, transportation, and case management. They target communities where care is needed but scarce, and improve access to care for millions of individuals regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Nearly all patients are low-income, and most are uninsured or publicly insured. Patients also tend to be members of racial and ethnic minority groups. Read more...